ASBMB Council roundup: March 2026
ASBMB Council roundup: December 2025

News and Ideas

A chance encounter with the lab
Payton Stevens never planned to become a pancreatic cancer researcher. A temporary job set him on a path from rural Kentucky to leading research on Wnt signaling and metastasis, where he now pairs discovery with mentorship and science advocacy.

Piehl promoted to associate professor
He plans to develop a first-year chemistry lab program designed to help students build essential laboratory skills and connect core chemical concepts with real-world challenges.

In memoriam: Susan A. Henry
She was a pioneer in the study of yeast genetics and lipid metabolism and was an editorial board member of the Journal of Biological Chemistry.

ASBMB recognizes Chapman as 2026 outstanding student chapter
The group, led by Cedric Owens, is being honored for its commitment to scientific engagement, mentorship and community building, creating meaningful opportunities for students in biochemistry and molecular biology.

Mentorship and uncertainty: Lessons from Telemachus
A biochemistry educator reflects on mentorship through the Greek story of Telemachus, showing how embracing uncertainty, failure and curiosity can transform teaching.

Embracing the twists and turns along the educator pathway
A biochemistry educator reflects on the challenges of early faculty life, describing how evidence-based teaching, cross-disciplinary collaboration and classroom challenges shaped her growth.
And they’re off: Budget season begins in Congress
ASBMB’s director of public affairs explains the federal budget process after the president’s proposal, highlighting proposed cuts to science agencies, next steps in Congress and how ASBMB will advocate for research funding and mobilize members.
Upcoming opportunities
Registration is now open for this summer's Art of Science Communication course! Build your science communication skills in this 8-week online program. ➡️ Registration deadline: May 6.

Redesigning with students in mind
Assistant professor reflects on how the shift to online teaching revealed gaps in points-based grading and led to a redesign centered on transparency and student growth.
Meet Our Contributors
Jessica Desamero
Courtney Chandler
Poornima Sankar
Jay Thakkar
Beyond the bench: On a mission to build an inclusive scientific community
Benjamin Garcia will receive the ASBMB Ruth Kirschstein Diversity in Science Award at the ASBMB Annual meeting, April 12–15 in Chicago. Read More
Who decides when a grad student graduates?
Courtney Chandler
Careers Columnist
Ph.D. programs often don’t have a set timeline. Students continue with their research until their thesis is done, which is where variability comes into play. Read More
Quantifying how proteins in microbe and host interact
“To develop better vaccines, we need new methods and a better understanding of the antibody responses that develop in immune individuals,” author Johan Malmström said. Read More
Computational biosciences illuminate how molecular condensates form
Rohit Pappu will receive the 2025 DeLano Award for Computational Biosciences at the ASBMB Annual Meeting, April 12-15 in Chicago. Read More
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